We are delighted to announce that Bob Stradling has been appointed as the band’s new MD. We all welcome Bob and are looking forward to working with him to develop and strengthen our skills with enthusiasm and drive.
Bob grew up in Usk, South Wales. His first cornet teacher was his father, Jack, who founded the Usk Band which still thrives today. Bob progressed to principal cornet of top section Cwmbran Band at 14 and later played with the National Youth Band and London Collegiate Brass. Following a spell as principal cornet with the Hanwell Band, Bob played mainly soprano cornet with Jaguar Cars (City of Coventry), Kibworth, GUS and Redbridge bands. Bob has played at the British Open 3 times, the Albert Hall 7 times and has been featured as a soloist both on radio and in the recording studio. He later played tenor horn and euphonium at top section level. In 2011 he took up conducting, taking Daventry Brass to two Area wins and promotion from the 3rd to 1st sections. In 2022, Bob moved to North Yorkshire.